Thursday, October 15, 2009

Twitter as news source

I don't read (or watch or listen to) the news, but sometimes the news is unavoidable. On 9/11, I got in my car to drive to campus and every station was a news station.

Having TweetDeck open at work is like having a radio on in the background. If something remotely newsworthy happens I tend to hear about it. If it's "big" it shows up as a trending topic. It's how I found out about Michael Jackson, for example (future "Where were you when...").

Here are some of the "news" stories that shocked and amused me this week, and which I might have missed if not for the magical world of Twitter:

#balloonboy: "Remember Balloon Boy?" ("Remember X-that-happened-10-minutes-ago" is such a layup of humor! What's with everyone using the figurative "layup" all the sudden? I heard it at work like five times this week.) I actually watched some of the live video of the aircraft floating around in the sky. With no frame of reference, it was impossible to tell if it was the size of an actual UFO or a remote control toy. Pretty lame video. Turns out, the kid everyone thought was inside was hiding in a box in the attic. Also, his name is Falcon. In short order, "Imma" and "Anne Frank" are also trending topics on Twitter. Please google to understand if you don't see it immediately.

#pepsifail: Pepsico's AMP energy drink released a promotional iPhone app targeting major douchebags. Called Amp Up Before You Score, the idea was to nail your female prey down as one of 24 stereotypes and use the suggested pickup lines on her, then "brag" via social media about your conquest to your friends. Women and non-douchebags expressed outrage. (Douchebags said "Lighten up.") In response, the Amp guys posted this twapology:

Filippa Hamilton: In fashion "news"! Ralph Lauren model Filippa Hamilton was photoshopped into cocked hat; people complained; Ralph Lauren was forced to apologize. (Are you picking up a theme here?) Then Filippa was fired, supposedly for being too fat.

Basically, newswise, this whole week was a #women'sissuesfail. (I think #ballonboy qualifies too, for making light of Anne Frank.)

Shit I just saw that!!! Not only that but the family was on Wife Swap. God the media is retarded. They couldn't wait five minutes before making it national breaking news? Who am I to talk, I blogged too soon.

The balloon boy story has already fallen into the "women'sissuesfail" category: the kid and his brothers made a video (pre-ballooning) railing against "pussification." I only mention it because it will be the national subject of conversation for the next three weeks.